City Comparison
Nome vs Kodiak
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kodiak scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nome
Kodiak
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nome is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nome's average rent is
36% lower than Kodiak's.
| Metric | Nome | Kodiak | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $2,350 | -36% |
| Groceries | $650 | $550 | +18% |
| Utilities | $350 | $220 | +59% |
| Transport | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $3,570 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 145 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kodiak delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nome is estimated at
$60,000 vs $62,000 in Kodiak.
| Metric | Nome | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,897 idx | 53,788 idx |
| Household Income | $113,646 | $90,292 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kodiak runs warmer on average — a 13.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nome comes out ahead with 62 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nome sees 35.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nome | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 29.30°F | 43.20°F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | 58.00°F |
| Winter Low | 5.00°F | 31.60°F |
| Rainfall | 34.60 in | 70.70 in |
| Snowfall | 78.70 in | 42.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 171 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nome has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Kodiak.
Nome scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nome leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nome | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Nome.
From a growth perspective, Nome is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kodiak has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nome | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,653 | 5,214 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 31.4 | 40.2 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nome
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $113,646 per the U.S. Census Bureau
Home to the historic finish line of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Comprehensive local care provided by Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Rich Inupiat cultural heritage with active community traditions and subsistence lifestyle
Unrivaled access to pristine Arctic wilderness, fishing, and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive retail goods due to remote fly-in/barge-only logistics
Severe winter weather with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and high heating expenses
Limited local housing inventory and high construction/shipping costs for building materials
Isolation from the primary Alaska highway system, requiring costly air travel for off-peninsula trips
Higher-than-average local crime rates relative to smaller U.S. towns
Kodiak
Advantages
Median household income in Kodiak stands at a robust $90,292, outpacing many rural US regions per Census data
World-class commercial fishing, sportfishing, and pristine wilderness right outside your door
Extremely low crime rates and high community safety compared to the national average
Rich cultural diversity with a vibrant Alutiiq heritage and significant Asian and Pacific Islander community presence
Strong local economy anchored by the U.S. Coast Guard base and stable seafood processing industries
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,350 reflects tight housing inventory and high island shipping expenses per Zillow/Zumper data
High cost of living driven by freight expenses for groceries, utilities, and building materials
Frequent overcast days, heavy rainfall (70.7 inches annually), and windy maritime weather
Isolated geography requires air or ferry travel for mainland access, increasing travel costs
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nome
#596Alaska, USA
41.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
29.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
Kodiak
#444Alaska, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
171/yr
Avg Temp
43.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nome and Kodiak.
Open Cost Calculator